Misleading: Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting “Deep State”

The concept of the “deep state” has existed for some time, especially amongst conspiracy theorists. Recently, groups like QAnon assert that Donald Trump is trying to “bring down” the deep state, so as to preserve American democracy. The National File, a right-leaning conspiracy website, published an article under the headline “Trump Signs Executive Order Making It Easier To Fire Deep State Federal Workers.”

Misbar's investigation found that the National File article is hyperbolic. The term “deep state” is never mentioned in the executive order, and there’s no evidence to suggest that this executive order was pointed at alleged participants in the deep state conspiracy theory. There’s no reason to assume that Trump is targeting the “deep state” in any way with the executive order.

The executive order makes it easier for Trump to fire government workers, specifically those with “poor performance” that are nonetheless protected by government policies. Some federal workers with certain roles are placed under the “schedule F” category, which designates them as policy-making or advocating employees. These policies aren’t major policies like laws; they’re regulations like fire codes, hiring policies, and so on. They also oversee attorneys. The executive order makes it so that it takes the President less time to fire them.